Benidorm Island Boat Trip
Updated 15/10/2026 by the onbenidorm team · Times and prices checked October 2026
The Benidorm Island boat leaves the port on Paseo de Colón roughly every hour all year, and more often in summer, from about 10:00. The crossing takes about 20 minutes and Visit Benidorm puts the fare at about €15–€22 per person. You can come back on any later boat. The island has a bar-restaurant, paths up to a lighthouse, and underwater viewing on the Acuario catamaran or the Aquascope.
- Departs from
- Benidorm port, end of Paseo de Colón, below the old town
- Crossing time
- About 20 minutes each way
- Frequency
- About hourly all year; every 30–60 minutes in high season
- Price guide
- About €15–€22 per person (Visit Benidorm)
- Time to allow
- At least 2 hours including the island visit
- Not suitable for
- Wheelchairs and pushchairs on the island paths
How the Benidorm Island boat works
You buy a return ticket at the port, sail about 20 minutes to the island, and come back on any later boat. The operator says boats leave every hour all year, with return boats every 60 minutes, so there is no fixed time you must leave. It is the most popular of the Benidorm boat trips and the only one that runs year round.
Departures start at about 10:00. The TUI and Musement listings say boats then run about every 50 minutes depending on capacity, while Visit Benidorm says every 30–60 minutes in high season, generally until about 18:00. In quieter months expect hourly sailings.
How much the island boat costs
Expect to pay roughly €15–€22 per person for the return trip. That is the range Visit Benidorm gives, and it advises checking current rates. The boat company does not publish its fares online.
A guide published by local firm Carlos Water Sports in 2026 lists indicative fares of €20 for adults and €15 for children from June to September, falling to €18 and €12 from October to May. Agents such as Musement and TUI sell the same trip online, sometimes at a higher price, with the ticket valid only on the date you choose. Buying at the port desk on the day is usually simplest outside the peak weeks.
Underwater viewing: Acuario and Aquascope
The company's fleet includes the Acuario and Acuario II catamarans and the Aquascope, a semi-submersible with windows below the waterline.
Sources disagree on which boat has the viewing. The operator says passengers on the Acuario II see the seabed from the catamaran itself, and those on the Bahía de Benidorm transfer to the Aquascope at the island. The TUI listing says only the Bahía de Benidorm has underwater viewing. Ask at the desk which boat is next if the viewing is the main reason you are going.
The water around the island reaches about 20 m. The operator lists bream, salema, scorpionfish, octopus, nudibranchs and morays among the marine life.
What there is to do on Benidorm Island
A visit is about walking, views, swimming and a drink by the jetty.
The bar-restaurant
The operator says the island has a bar and restaurant, and the GuruWalk listing describes a café by the pier. It is the only place to buy food and drink, so carry water too, especially in summer.
Paths and the lighthouse
Marked paths climb to a lighthouse on a cliff about 73 m above the sea, and the views stretch from Alicante in the south to Puig Campana in the north. The paths are unpaved, uneven and sloping, so wear shoes with grip. Visit Benidorm also stresses suitable footwear because the ground is rocky.
Snorkelling and swimming
Visit Benidorm describes the water as clear and good for snorkelling and diving, and suggests bringing your own snorkel. Divers also come here on organised boat dives; see our water sports in Benidorm guide for diving centres.
Seabirds and the Serra Gelada park
The island belongs to the Serra Gelada Natural Park, which also protects the Mitjana islet and the l'Olla and La Galera islets, plus large Posidonia seagrass meadows in the sea. Visit Benidorm calls the island an important refuge for seabirds. To see the park's cliffs from land, read our Serra Gelada walks guide.
Island rules to know
The island is a protected area, and the rules matter most in the nesting season.
- From about February to June seabirds nest on the island. Do not approach nests or chicks; ticket sellers warn that gulls can be defensive.
- Stay on the marked paths and do not remove plants or stones.
- Do not feed the wildlife, leave litter or light fires.
Best time to go
A calm morning is best. The first boats around 10:00 are quieter, the light is good for photos of the Benidorm skyline, and the climb to the lighthouse is cooler.
For snorkelling, the water is warmest from July to September; see Benidorm weather in August and September. If you want fewer birds guarding nests on the paths, go after June. In winter rough seas cancel sailings more often; see Benidorm weather in December.
Getting to the port and what to bring
The port is at the end of Paseo de Colón, at the foot of the old town headland, a short walk from Mal Pas beach and the western end of Levante beach. From the Rincón de Loix, walk along the Levante promenade or take a taxi. Collect your boarding pass at least 20 minutes before your boat.
- Flat shoes with grip for the rocky paths
- Sun cream, a hat and water
- Mask and snorkel, and a towel if you plan to swim
- A light layer for the crossing back
- Cash for the bar
- Travel-sickness tablets if you are prone to it, as ticket sellers do not recommend the trip for people who get seasick
Plan the rest of your day
| Name | Area | Known for |
|---|---|---|
| Benidorm boat trips | Benidorm port | All routes from the port |
| Mal Pas beach | Old town | Small beach by the port, facing the island |
| Old town | Benidorm | Tapas and the Balcón del Mediterráneo |
| Water sports in Benidorm | Levante, Poniente and the port | Diving trips to the island |
Benidorm Island Boat Trip — FAQs
How long is the boat ride to Benidorm Island?
About 20 minutes each way, according to the boat company; Visit Benidorm says 15–20 minutes. The island is about 2.5 nautical miles, or just over 3 km, from the port. Allow at least two hours for the whole trip so you have time to walk to the lighthouse and have a drink before coming back.
How much does the Benidorm Island boat cost?
Visit Benidorm gives a range of about €15–€22 per person. A 2026 guide from a local water-sports firm lists €20 for adults and €15 for children from June to September, and €18 and €12 from October to May. The operator does not publish fares online, so confirm at the port desk.
How often does the Benidorm Island boat run?
The operator says every hour all year, with return boats every 60 minutes. Agents describe departures from 10:00 about every 50 minutes depending on capacity, and Visit Benidorm says every 30–60 minutes in high season, generally between 10:00 and 18:00. Every sailing depends on the weather.
Can you stay overnight on Benidorm Island?
No. The island is an uninhabited, protected part of the Serra Gelada Natural Park, and camping is not allowed. Visitors come and go on the day boats, so check the time of the last boat back when you buy your ticket.
Is there anywhere to eat on Benidorm Island?
Yes. The boat company says there is a bar-restaurant on the island, and other listings describe a café by the pier. It is the only option, so take water with you, especially in summer when the walk up to the lighthouse is hot.
Can you snorkel at Benidorm Island?
Yes. Visit Benidorm describes the water as clear and good for snorkelling and diving, and suggests bringing your own snorkel. The seabed reaches about 20 m, with octopus, morays and bream among the marine life. Swim carefully and stay close to the shore.
Related guides
Sources and how we checked
Last updated 15 October 2026 by the onbenidorm team.